Schools & Community Education Team

International Youth Volunteering with the French Red Cross

THE CONTEXT

The French Red Cross is part of the international Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement which shares the seven Fundamental Principles. The French Red Cross is a highly regarded emergency response and health organisation in France with over 52 000 volunteers and 17 000 employees working across 2000 organisations. Other areas of work include First Aid, International Humanitarian Law and youth volunteer projects.

We are looking to recruit 2 volunteers to be based at two of the three projects outlined below. The third project will be filled by a German volunteer and therefore it’s important to state in your application form which is your preferred project.

Project 1: Supporting disabled children and teenagers in formal and no-formal learning environments

Presles en Brie, France

In Villepatour, near Presles en Brie (40 km in the South-East of Paris), the French Red Cross runs a day and weekly boarding school for pupils aged 12-22 with physical disabilities. The school is an ‘Institute d’education motrice’ (IEM), the aim of which is to give the children the opportunity for a normalised education, whilst offering the necessary care-services to improve their autonomy and physical mobility.

Built around an old chateau, the school houses 28 weekly boarders and 27 day pupils. As well as following traditional lessons, pupils have access to on-campus medical facilities such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychotherapy. They are also encouraged to take part in sports, extra-curricular clubs and outings in the local area (cinema, exhibitions, theme parks etc).

THE ROLE

We are looking to recruit one volunteer, who will take part, along with a German volunteer, in a split placement between the French Red Cross boarding school for children with physical disabilities and a project supporting young people with physical disabilities, who are studying at university level or on work placements in local businesses. This project is part of a SESSAD (Service d'éducation spécialisée et de soins à domicile) service for young people with physical disabilities. The exact placement will depend on the support needed by the service users and the volunteer’s areas of interest.

In the school, the volunteer will work alongside the teachers during lessons to provide additional support in the classroom with mobility, reading, writing and possibly assisting with the teaching itself.

Outside the formal timetable, the volunteer may help with personal care (washing, toileting, feeding) as well as on the pastoral side, during extra-curricular clubs and excursions.

In the external SESSAD project, the volunteer may accompany the young people to university, or on their work placements, assisting with all practical aspects, from taking notes to helping with mobility needs in order to support the young people’s integration and to promote their success in that environment. The volunteer will also support leisure activities for the young people, including trips to football matches, cinema, restaurants etc. There is also the opportunity to get involved with a variety of SESSAD workshops, held at Villepatour itself.

Some flexibility is required to accommodate activities that occasionally run at the weekends or in evenings. There are also 2 days of holiday per month of placement (not including national public holidays), which can be taken with prior arrangement with your supervisor.

The volunteer will be expected to study French in order to facilitate integration into the host community and the project. Moreover, the volunteer is strongly encouraged to become actively involved in other activities or services of the Red Cross in the Parisian region that may be of interest.

Volunteers will be encouraged to use their own initiative, and will be provided with support from the French Red Cross. It is important that volunteers are committed, enthusiastic, sensitive to the needs of others and willing to become fully involved in the project.

The project is a European Voluntary Service (EVS) project, supported by the European Commission. This will give the volunteer the opportunity to learn about youth action in France and will also be able to meet alike volunteers all over France.

Location: Presles en Brie, near Paris, France

Presles en Brie is located in the Seine et Marne départment, named after the Seine and Marne rivers, in the Ile de France region. This area is fairly rural with several nature reserves and 60% of land used for farming, predominantly growing cereals and sugar beet. One of the principal towns is Fontainebleau and the area is also home to EuroDisney. Presles en Brie is a small village near Tournan en Brie, which is the terminus of the RER E train line, direct into central Paris in 35 minutes.

For more information, see:

http://iem-preslesenbrie.croix-rouge.fr

www.croix-rouge.fr

Project 2: Support to French Red Cross Services

Sablé-sur-Sarthe, France

One German and one British volunteers will take part in the activities in Sable-sur-Sarthe. Candidates should state in their application form if they have a preference for one of the two projects outlined below.

Both Volunteers will be encouraged to use their own initiative, and will be provided with support from the French Red Cross. It is important that volunteers are committed, involved and sensitive to the needs of others.

The volunteer will be expected to study French in order to facilitate integration into the host community and the project.

Project 2a: First aid, health promotion and disaster risk reduction / supporting activities in the second-hand clothes and furniture shop

THE ROLE

We are looking to recruit one volunteer, who will take part of in the activities of the local Red Cross branch of Sablé-sur-Sarthe.

During the first two months of his/her First two months of European Voluntary Service, the volunteer will discover the various actions of the local branch in the field of rescue, first aid and social action. The volunteer will attend, during this period, the adequate trainings to be able to facilitate sessions in order to raise the awareness of young people about first aid, health prevention and disaster risk reduction.

After this period, the volunteer will intervene mainly in schools to introduce the pupils to the first aids, to the road safety, to the prevention of domestic accidents and to the food hygiene. The volunteer will also participate, at least one day a week (depending on training sessions), in the activities connected to the reception of the public inof the second-hand clothes and furniture shop of the local branch: sorting, labelling clothes, welcoming customers.. He will also help the first-aid volunteers in the preparation of the emergency response plans.

Project 2b: Rescue, first aid and social action

THE ROLE

We are looking to recruit one volunteer, who will take part in the activities of the local Red Cross branch of Sablé-sur-Sarthe.

During the first two months of his/her European Voluntary Service, the volunteer will discover the various actions of the local branch in the field of rescue, first aid and social action.

The volunteer will attend, during this period, the adequate trainings to be able to listen and welcome vulnerable members of the local community

Along with local volunteers, the EVS volunteer will take part in activities aiming to improve social openness and independence of vulnerable people. He/she will thus have the opportunity to directly support the needs of asylum seekers and homeless people living in the social hostel. According to his/her interests and ability, the volunteer will also hold workshops such as cooking, reading, art and games with the people residing at the hostel.

Volunteers will be encouraged to use their own initiative, and will be provided with support from the French Red Cross. It is important that volunteers are committed, involved and sensitive to the needs of others. This is a pilot project and we are looking for someone who can contribute to the development of the placement and the programme’s quality.

Location: Sablé-sur-Sarthe, near Le Mans, France

Sablé-sur-Sarthe is a 13000 inhabitants town located in the crossroads of Paris basin, Normandy, Brittany, the Center and Pays- de –la- Loire region. Sablé-sur-Sarthe is situated close to the Loire Valley, in a rural area.. The principal nearest cities towns are Le Mans, Laval and Angers are 45 minutes away by car. Sablé-sur-Sarthe is situated close to the Loire Valley. From Sablé, you can reach Paris within 1h15 by train.

For more information, see:

www.croix-rouge.fr

QUALITIES WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The successful candidates will be aged 2018-26 (up to 25 (though we will consider applications from candidates up to the age of 30)yrs considered) and will also demonstrate the following:

· Committed, mature and independent work ethic

· Genuine interest and/or experience in youth work or working with young people with disabilities

· Excellent communication and social skills

· Creative, supportive and willing to take the initiative when running activities for vulnerable people

· Understand the importance of looking after yourself and have the ability to switch off at the end of the day

· Realistic expectations regarding the benefits and challenges of volunteering overseas for 10 months

· Prepared to live with a modest allowance and accommodation

· Good level of French is required for project 2a.

· For projects 1 and 2b knowledge of French is welcome, or at least willingness to study and learn French whilst on the placement;

· Good English & a good knowledge of French (at least AS level or equivalent, if not higher) with a willingn to study and learn whilst on the placement And most importantly, a commitment to the Red Cross movement, volunteering and working with children and young people

PRACTICALITIES

The placements will run from early September 20132 until the early July 20143. The successful candidates will be funded and accredited through the European Voluntary Service (EVS) scheme of the European Commission. More details about EVS can be found at http://www.britishcouncil.org/connectyouth-programmes-evs.htm

Our priority is to recruit young people who would otherwise not have access to such international opportunities. Accommodation, food (or a food allowance) and travel to/from work will be provided and each volunteer will receive a small personal allowance of 125 Euros per month.

Volunteers at the Red Cross are highly valued for the skills and energy they bring to our work. The successful candidates will receive pre-departure and on-arrival training from both the Red Cross and the European Commission, as well as have access to confidential support and supervision throughout the duration of the placement.

Reporting to:

· Supervisors in the IEM de Villepatour school and SESSAD/ Supervisor at Local Red Cross branch of Sablé-sur-Sarthe

· Benoit MounierLucie Bodet: Youth Officer Volunteering Programme Coordinator – French Red Cross

· Rachel ButlerKatherine Smart: Programme Coordinator – International Youth Volunteering, British Red Cross

Application deadline: 30th May 2012 12th May 2013

Interviews: Suitable candidates will be invited for a selection day in London with Rachel ButlerKatherine Smart and a representative from the French Red Cross on 12th June23rd May. Please be aware that part of the interview will be in French. To apply, please fill out the enclosed application form and return to ksmartrachelbutler@redcross.org.uk with your name and ‘French RC opportunity’ in the subject heading of the email.

International Youth Volunteering Programme

France Application Form 20132-143

Please complete all sections in English. All information provided will remain strictly confidential. Please send a CV (max 2 pages) with your application form.

Section 1: Personal Information
Last Name / First Name / Middle Name(s)
E-mail: / Date of Birth: / Gender:
Male Female
Town and Country of Birth: / Passport number: / Nationality:
Current correspondence address: / Home telephone: / Mobile telephone:
Permanent address (if different): / Home telephone:
Do you have any existing insurance cover (travel/medical)? If so, please give details below
Emergency Contact Information
Name: / Relationship to you: / Home telephone:
Home address: / Email address: / Mobile telephone:
Section 2: Education (continue on additional sheet if necessary)
Secondary School/College: / Years Attended: / Qualifications Obtained (GCSE, A-level, NVQ etc.):
to
to
Tertiary Education (College, University etc.): / Years Attended: / Qualifications Obtained (Diploma, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate etc):
to
to
Section 3: Work Experience (continue on additional sheet if necessary)
Organisation: / Year: / Position: / Responsibilities:
Section 4: Additional Skills
Languages: / Spoken: / Written: / Reading:
Driver’s Licence: / Other:
Section 5: Additional Questions (continue on an additional sheet if necessary)
Please describe any relevant prior work or voluntary experience, especially with children or young people or people with disabilities. Give as much detail as possible.
Please explain your reasons for volunteering abroad with the Red Cross. Why do you want to go to the Red Cross in France particularly? Please write at least 200 words.
Which of the projects outlined above are you most interested in?
Please describe any personal trials and how you overcame them.
Please describe any prior international experience (include countries and duration away).
What challenges do you think you will face during your time abroad?
How will you overcome them?
As the Red Cross, our priority is to provide international placements to people who would ordinarily have less access to them due to socio-economic, health or other personal reasons. If appropriate, please use this space to describe why you think this programme is especially applicable to you.
Section 6: Additional Information
Please detail any allergies, medical conditions or other support needs.
Section 7: Practicalities
We are looking to send 2 volunteers out to France in early September. Please state when you would be able to leave, which (if any) Red Cross training courses/events you have already attended, and confirm that your passport will be valid for the entirety of your placement.
Section 8: References
Please provide the names and contact information of two referees. These may include an employer, supervisor, teacher, or a close friend (but not a relative).
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
E-mail:
Relationship to You: / Name:
Location:
Telephone:
E-mail:
Relationship to You:
I hereby acknowledge that all information contained within this form is true to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: / Date: